Before we try to predict the best sources of holds in 2011, let’s take a look back.

Some roles have changed. Opportunities and player productiveness will change. But it’s worth discussing the 2010 holds leaders.

Those of you in holds leagues will remember that the leaderboard fluctuated early on, but it only took a few weeks until our eventual holds king and runner-up, Luke Gregerson and Mike Adams, made the top of the list.

And while they dominated both halves, there were several players that rose and fell in the rankings below them.

Let’s take a look at all of the relievers with 20 or more holds in 2010. Rk is where the player ranked in their respective leagues:

2010 Holds Leaders

RK

PLAYER

TEAM

HLD

1

Luke Gregerson

SD

40

2

Mike Adams

SD

38

1

Daniel Bard

BOS

32

2

Kevin Jepsen

LAA

27

3

Scott Downs

TOR

26

Joba Chamberlain

NYY

26

3

Arthur Rhodes

CIN

26

5

Joaquin Benoit

TB

25

4

Jonny Venters

ATL

24

6

Matt Guerrier

MIN

23

5

Rafael Betancourt

COL

23

Pedro Feliciano

NYM

23

Tyler Clippard

WSH

23

7

Darren O’Day

TEX

22

8

Kameron Loe

MIL

22

Clay Hensley

FLA

22

Sean Marshall

CHC

22

8

Fernando Rodney

LAA

21

Matt Thornton

CHW

21

Jesse Crain

MIN

21

11

Matt Belisle

COL

21

Hong-Chih Kuo

LAD

21

Peter Moylan

ATL

21

Sergio Romo

SF

21

15

Joe Beimel

COL

20

Sean Burnett

WSH

20

Nick Masset

CIN

20

—

Note that 27 pitchers earned 20 or more holds last season. It’s not represented in the list, but 80 held 10 or more games.

It’s also worth noting that three players in the top 8, four in the top 10 and five of the top 12 are all on different teams this year.

So, expect shakeups at the top of the leaderboard in 2011. Guys who are moving might not get as many holds or may get an expanded role. Their departure also leaves a holds vacancy in their old bullpen.